Custom motorcycles have always been part of Icon’s company culture—and they do all the work in-house. But this is the first Icon 1000 bike to be commissioned by a client. The commission came from Ural, and the machine is called the Quartermaster. Based on the Ural Solo sT, it’s a bike designed to endure the ‘End of Days.’
Inspired by rugged Soviet Navy ships, this Ural has been extensively modified to fit the vision of Icon’s creative director Kurt Walter. “I wanted to highlight that Russian military theme, but with a twist. Hence the nautical approach in both color and markings,” he says.
As the video below shows, the Ural is a pretty good match for Icon’s post-apocalyptic vision: “Simplicity is paramount to the survival of any mechanism in arduous environments,” says Walter. “So I’ve always preferred air-cooled singles or twins.” Icon started work by giving the frame an oversized main spar and a higher-clearance subframe, adding to the Ural’s bullish stance. The rest of the build reflects the Icon 1000 mission brief: Vintage design cues, top-shelf materials and components, and discreet modern technology.
A large-capacity fuel tank and hand-formed fenders prepare the Quartermaster for the rigors of an uncertain future. When the asphalt crumbles, enduro bars, a skid plate and raised foot controls help keep the rider on track.
Component upgrades come from PIAA and Progressive Suspension. “I like to upgrade suspension to as much travel as the geometry will take, and as stiff as my kidneys will endure!” says Walter. The Ural is also running a SuperTrapp exhaust system and Continental tires: (“TKC-80s have a chunky cross-section that works well on different terrain.”)
The stock Ural is as rugged as they come, a time-proven design that has been refined over decades. But with the Quartermaster, it’s been readied for an even tougher future. Head over to the Icon 1000 website for more images—and a first view of the latest Icon 1000 motorcycle gear.
